Epworth’s new robots - thanks to La Trobe Financial

Epworth
HealthCare is very pleased to announce that it recently received the largest benefaction
since it was first established in Richmond in 1920, enabling the purchase
Epworth campuses six X model da Vinci
robots, and new surgical equipment for multiple Epworth sites.

Home-grown global
financial services company La Trobe Financial, through its Foundation and its corporate
social responsibility program, this year selected Epworth Medical Foundation
for their major annual donation.

La Trobe
Financial, established in Victoria Australia in 1952, has a long history of
helping Australians achieve financial independence and giving back to the
community. The company’s Foundation donates to significant nationwide organisations
such as Lifeline, The Salvation Army and Australian Red Cross, and its staff volunteer
program funds all 287 staff to work two days a year at a charity of their
choice.

La Trobe
Financial President & CEO Greg O’Neill visited Epworth this month and
humbly told a story of the life-saving
treatment he received at Epworth more than a decade ago, after a severe
infection resulted from a knee injury.

“As well as
the expert treatment I received to fight the infection, I was touched by the
incredible kindness and dedicated professionalism of clinical staff and nurses,
some of whom brought me a warm Milo every night during my long stay.

“In
particular, I believe that Infectious Diseases specialist Dr Ian Jennens, who
looked after me back then, is a genius and Australian of the decade in my book”,
Mr O’Neill said.

His
company’s generosity was warmly welcomed by Epworth staff, who demonstrated how
the Xi da Vinci model operates, and
displayed dozens of theatre implements, a surgical table and the most
up-to-date equipment recently acquired.

Mr O’Neill
added that La Trobe Financial was very pleased to help Epworth continue their
innovative work in robotically-assisted surgery in Australia.

“Our company
considers this gift as an important way of giving back to the community and
amazing staff at the Epworth. Knowing that Epworth patients and their clinical
staff have access to a range of leading-edge, world’s best practice technology
was important to us at the La Trobe Financial Foundation”, Mr O’Neill
said.

“It is making a difference to people’s lives
that matters to us, and on this issue we are totally aligned with the Epworth’s
key mission”, Mr O’Neill added.

Epworth
HealthCare Group Chief Executive Dr Lachlan Henderson said the generosity of La
Trobe Financial is warmly appreciated by doctors and staff across hospital
group.

“Epworth is
delighted to continue providing the latest technology to patients in Victoria,
with the new robots located at four sites - Richmond, Freemasons, Geelong and
Eastern.”

“It also
means we can continue our significant role in clinical research and training in
robotic procedures across many surgical specialties,” Dr Henderson said.

About the da Vinci robot

Robotic surgery continues to develop in Australia for a variety of procedures including:

The benefits of robotically-assisted surgeries are many because the process is minimally-invasive, involving small incisions rather than a traditional, larger cut, which means lower blood loss and a reduced possibility of infection. The robotic arms, one with a 3D camera gives the surgeon a clear view and access to areas that are often restricted using traditional surgical methods.